Saint Augustine’s quote, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe,” reflects his Christian theological perspective on the nature and value of faith.
The first part, “Faith is to believe what you do not see,” speaks to the essence of faith. According to Augustine, faith is not about empirical evidence or logical proof. Instead, it’s about trusting in something that is beyond our current ability to perceive or comprehend, often in spite of our doubts or uncertainties. This reflects the Christian belief in the importance of faith in God, even though God’s existence cannot be empirically proven.
The second part, “The reward of this faith is to see what you believe,” suggests that those who maintain faith will eventually gain a deeper understanding or experience that validates their belief. For Augustine, this might mean experiencing God’s grace or presence, gaining spiritual insight, or receiving the promise of eternal life. This “seeing” is not necessarily a physical seeing but a spiritual or metaphorical understanding or recognition.
In sum, this quote encapsulates Augustine’s view of faith as a form of trust in the unseen, which ultimately leads to a greater spiritual understanding or experience. It’s a key theme in Christian theology, reflecting the values of trust, hope, and the promise of spiritual reward.
